Amazon 10-inch tablet Coming in 2012, Kindle DX To Get Axed?

We have heard a ton of rumors about Amazon’s upcoming tablets. The company plans to introduce as many as 2 new e-readers and 2 tablets to enhance its presence in the e-reader and tablet-PC markets. Amazon may not be going after Apple iPad directly with its first tablet but it does intend to introduce a powerful 10 inch tablet in 2012. According to Digitimes, Amazon’s 10 inch tablet will be mass produced in the first quarter of 2012.

Mass production of Amazon’s 10.1-inch tablet PC reportedly will be conducted in the first quarter of 2012 with Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) to handle the orders, according to sources from upstream component suppliers.

Not surprisingly, Amazon is expected to ship as many as 30M Kindle e-readers in 2011. Kindle 4 is slated to be released later this year with a touchscreen display. The company will start shipping its 7 inch tablets some time in October. At this point, it is not clear what the future holds for Kindle DX. The device was launched with a lot of promise behind it. It is still a great catch for anyone needing an e-reader with a large screen. But with Amazon launching a 10 inch tablet, Kindle DX could be on its last leg.

Amazon has not shown any hints that it intends to keep improving Kindle DX. The device was never a hit among students. It won’t outsell the 6 inch Kindle considering its high price. With Amazon’s 10 inch tablet shipping in 2012, will keeping Kindle DX around be even necessary?

What’s your take? Should Amazon keep Kindle DX around?